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Republican Steve Griffith seeks House 38 post

Incumbent Greg Macpherson is running for Oregon Attorney General

Steve Griffith, a Republican from Portland, is running for Oregon House District 38 (Lake Oswego and Southwest Portland).

The post is becoming vacant because incumbent Greg Macpherson, D-Lake Oswego, has decided to run for Oregon Attorney General.

Stating that building bridges and celebrating differences will be a cornerstone of his campaign, Griffith said that using 'all minds and talents is the only way to address the challenges we face in our schools and for our children, with the economy and the environment, and in our delivery of affordable health care.'

'District 38 is a wonderful incubator of progressive people and ideas,' Griffith said. 'I believe there is a role for responsible government composed of legislators who show integrity, independence and grit - just like most Oregonians.'

Griffith, an attorney, served two terms on the Portland School Board, including four times as board chair. Since 2000, he has been volunteer coach for Lincoln High School's course on the US Constitution, including taking the team to the national 'We The People' competition in Washington, DC.

His passion for environmental issues has led to extensive personal time spent fighting for common sense, Earth-friendly organizations. He served on the board of directors of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters for six years and the governing council of The Wilderness Society for six years.

Griffith wants to tap the civic spirit of Oregonians.

'The people of this state are proud of Oregon, generous to a fault with their time and are at their best working together,' Griffith said. 'They don't enjoy partisanship, and they don't elect grown-ups to act like children. I will work hard to change that reality by embracing my colleagues in a spirit of mutual respect and open-minded dialogue.'

With 28 years of experience as an attorney at Stoel Rives LLP, Griffith also served as legal counsel to the Oregon House Judiciary Committee during the 1981 legislative session. He holds a juris doctorate from Stanford Law School, a master of philosophy in politics from Oxford University, and a bachelor's degree from Harvard.

An experienced mountain climber, Griffith said that he will try to bring some of those alpine traits to the Legislature.

'Independence, teamwork and dedication have served me well on the Matterhorn, the Grand Teton, Mount Hood, and on Mount Vinson in Antarctica last month,' he said.

The public is invited to help Griffith celebrate the start of his campaign with a kick-off event on March 5 at the Lakewood Center, 368 S. State St., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.